Midol is a common and popular brand of painkiller that many women use to treat their headaches.
Unfortunately, there are some side effects associated with using Midol which you should be aware of before taking it.
This post will give you an in-depth look at what these side effects are, how they affect your body, and what you can do about them.
Headache
A common side effect of using Midol for women is headaches. Not to worry, headaches are one of the most common ailments that people suffer from.
In fact, 50% of all adults will experience a headache in any given year.
There are many reasons for headaches and they can happen at any time of the day or night, making them difficult to predict.
The pain may be described as dull, throbbing and/or sharp. It can last for a few minutes to several days and recur frequently over long periods of time.
It’s a good idea to have something like aspirin or ibuprofen on hand when taking Midol in case you do get a headache.
Dizziness
Dizziness is a common symptom that can have many different causes, ranging from benign to serious.
It’s important to know the difference between these so you can get proper treatment if it persists and doesn’t go away on its own.
Unfortunately, dizziness is a common side effect of using Midol. It’s caused by the drowsiness that many women experience when taking this medication, which is used to treat menstrual cramps and other symptoms.
If you experience dizziness while taking this medication, it is important to seek medical attention immediately because the dizziness could get worse or lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Nausea
Nausea is a feeling of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach that moves up to the chest. A person with nausea may also feel weak, sweaty, or lightheaded.
Nausea is often accompanied by vomiting—the forceful emptying of the stomach contents through the mouth—though not always.
With women using Midol, nausea can be common as it affects 1 out of 4 taking the over the counter medication.
The good news is that the nausea usually goes away after the first dose, but can last up to 12 hours for some people.
Breast tenderness or Swelling
A common side effect of using Midol (the active ingredient in the medication is called Naproxen), is breast tenderness and swelling.
Breast tenderness and swelling is also a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), especially during the first few days of your period.
It can be very uncomfortable, but it’s not dangerous or harmful to your health. PMS itself isn’t a disease, but rather a group of symptoms that many women experience before their periods each month.
Insomnia
You may be experiencing insomnia if you are taking a Midol painkiller. Insomnia is a debilitating, but common, medical condition that affects nearly 100 million Americans each year in which a person has difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.
The medication contains ingredients that can worsen symptoms of insomnia or disrupt your sleep cycle, which will worsen the daytime fatigue and drowsiness associated with menstruation.
In most cases, these side effects will disappear after stopping the medication. If they continue to persist, talk with your doctor about other options for managing menstrual pain.
Constipation
Constipation is a common side effect of taking the pain reliever Midol.
This problem may occur because this medication can slow down digestion and cause an accumulation of waste in your colon.
While most people who take it do not experience constipation, if you are one of them, then there are steps that you can take to prevent midol-related constipation from occurring and how to alleviate it when it does happen.
Conclusion
Midol is a popular over-the-counter medication that women use to treat menstrual cramps and help with general period pain.
It can also be used for other conditions such as headaches and back pain, but it does have side effects.
The side effects of Midol can be a tricky thing to deal with, and it’s always important to do your research on any medication you’re taking.
References, Studies and Sources:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d6d47af8-5f8c-4c8c-a8c6-aa214ec23bca
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_334140
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=021472
Bridget Reed is a Tampa-based content development manager, writer, and editor at GR0; specializing in content related to varying fields including medicine, health, and small businesses. Bridget went to St. Petersburg College and majored in Management and Organizational Leadership.
